Childeric Saddles Little Downham International (28-29th September) attracted a world class field to the one-day internationals, that were dominated by 5* winners.
The Cambridgeshire event produced multiple small sections of international competition to enable all 3-phases of competition to run on a single day. The CCI3* was relocated from South of England, and the CCI4* provides the high point in the Little Downham calendar and has often produced the Pau and Maryland CCI5* winner.
Oliver Townend and his three time CCI5* winning partner Ballaghmor Class returned to Little Downham for what was only their third 3-phase run of the 2024 season. The Olympic gold medal winning duo jumped an immaculate double clear, adding just 0.4 showjumping time and 6.4 cross-country time faults to a 26 dressage to secure the win in the CCI4*-S section K.
Oliver was full of praise for the Cambridgeshire venue, that he’s been a repeat visitor to over the years: “We really appreciate being able to bring out top horses to events like Little Downham, that always deliver the best possible conditions. Once again, we have excellent courses this weekend, that all rode well and work for the horses when looking at the bigger plan and other international fixtures.”
New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone finished a close second with his Paris partner Menlo Park, completing on a three-phase score of 34.1.
From a two-time Burghley winner to the reigning Pau 5* champion, it was Ros Canter and Izilot DHI that took top honours in CCI4* section L. The pair added just 6.8 cross-country time faults to their 24.1 dressage to secure the win by over a 4-penalty margin.
Of the win, Olympic gold medallist Ros Canter added: “I’m delighted with Izilot today. He felt solid in all 3 phases. The ground was perfect, so it was good to be able to open him up before his next run at Pau. It’s always a great prep run at Little Downham because of the mounds and decent waters.”
Second place once again went to New Zealand, this time with Jesse Campbell taking the podium spot with the 12-year-old Hickstead Musterd, giving them their best CCI4* finish of the season.
Jesse Campbell also had an emotional win in the Rossdales CCI3*, piloting his late wife, Georgie Campbell’s, Speedwell to the top spot, with the only sub-thirty score.
The sole Advanced section saw an emphatic win for Piggy March and Jayne Mcgivern’s super nine-year-old stallion Halo. The pair delivered a near flawless three phases to win by an 11-penalty margin, over Oliver Townend and En Taro Des Vernier.
Zara Tindall was awarded the Little Tiger Trophy for the smallest horse to complete the Advanced cross-country clear and closest to the optimum time. The award was presented by Dr Polly Taylor, in memory of her feisty and pint-sized 5* mare, Little Tiger, who was born just a stone’s through from the Little Downham event. Class Affair, at just 16-hands, completed clear and added just 8-time penalties to their three-phase score.
Of the award Zara Tindall commented: “I’m really honoured to win the Little Tiger Trophy; she was such a great little eventing mare and a great prize to have won!”
It was nice to see former Burghley winner, Charlotte Bathe, once again join the volunteering team for the weekend. Charlotte, who is a regular to the Ely venue, joined the volunteer team to fence judge for the 4* day, giving back to a sport she has been involved in for many years.
The cross-country action can be watched on demand via ClipMyHorse.TV. Little Downham returns this coming weekend (5th and 6th October) for Little Downham (4) and Regional Championships.
